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Episode 1534

Skookum

So you’ve long dreamed of writing fiction, but don’t know where to begin? There are lots of ways to get started — creative writing classes, local writing groups, and books with prompts to get you going. The key is to get started, and...

Northwest Word Skookum

The adjective skookum comes from Chinook jargon and is commonly used in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to describe something strong, good, muscular, or powerful, as in a skookum Malamute or a skookum drink.  This is part of a complete episode.

Episode 1529

At First Blush

Book recommendations and the art of apology. Martha and Grant share some good reads, including an opinionated romp through English grammar, a Spanish-language adventure novel, an account of 19th-century dictionary wars, and a gorgeously illustrated...

Muckety-Muck, Muckymuck, Muckamuck

Niesey from Laramie, Wyoming, is curious about the word mucky-muck, meaning “an important person,” and often “someone self-important.”  Usually spelled muckety-muck, or muckamuck, it’s  associated with the...

snoweater

snoweater  n.— «We arrived in Yellowstone along with a Chinook. A Chinook is a warm wind that is sometimes called a “snoweater.”» —“Where’s the snow?” by Terry Stawar News and Tribune (Jeffersonville...

reef (on something)

reef (on something)  v.— «When the fish hit, his mind went blank. I am urging him to “reef on it” to set the hook which he finally did and struggled the rod out of the holder.» —“Willamette River (Or.) Chinook...